"After the game, [his debut] just hit me," said Featherston, ranked as the club's No. 11 prospect by MLB.com. "I'm just blessed, and thankful. It was just nice to get my feet wet."

Asked if it was any different than playing against big league players in Spring Training, Featherston said: "Not at all. I felt surprisingly comfortable. It just would've been a lot nicer if we'd won."

• Designated hitter C.J. Cron, who batted .413 in the Cactus League, returned to the lineup after a day off, but his season-opening slump extended to 0-for-13. Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain robbed Cron of a fifth-inning hit with a spectacular diving catch.